Learn How To Be A Fish Farmer

A new set of how-to videos that teach beginning aquaculturists the ins and outs of fish farming is now available online. The free, five-part video series offers an in-depth look at key issues in fish farming in a short, succinct, easy-to-understand format. It was produced by the Ohio Center for Aquaculture Research and Development at Ohio State University South Centers as part of its yearlong Aquaculture Boot Camp program. The boot camp, offered in 2013 and 2014, provided new and beginning fish farmers a hands-on approach to aquaculture and the business of fish farming, giving participants the opportunity to study the technique at the Piketon facility.

The videos are designed to provide information on getting started for those interested in learning more about or going into fish farming, said Laura Tiu, an aquaculture specialist with the Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. The OSU South Centers are a part of the college.”We are constantly getting calls from people interested in aquaculture and wanting to know more information about what fish farming entails and how one can get started or expand their aquaculture operations,” Tiu said. “The videos are designed to answer some of those questions.”

Aquaculture includes the breeding, rearing and harvesting of plants and animals in ponds, rivers, lakes and the ocean for food, sport, bait, ornamental fish, sea vegetables, fish eggs and algae. It’s a strong and growing industry globally because of increasing demand from consumers looking for healthy food options.

In fact, aquaculture is projected to provide two-thirds of fish consumed globally by 2030, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In Ohio, there are about 200 fish farmers registered statewide, according to a 2010 survey by Tiu. And many of them say they’d like to gain additional training in new and innovative production techniques, according to the survey.

The videos were created by Lost Tribe Media, an Akron-based media production company, and funded through a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant also funded the aquaculture boot camp program.